Neil is an evangelist with a passion for the 'least, the last and the lost'. Prior to this calling, he spent 5 years working for St George's Crypt - a Christian outreach for homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics.

Monday, June 23, 2008

I have recently been making occasional comments on a blog that declares its hate for Jesus and for Christians.

I wonder if we Christians are sometimes partly responsible for their hate. I wonder if sometimes we might be like a resounding gong and clashing cymbal. I'm afraid I have to hold my hand up to this big time!

Some of these 'Jesus haters' have been hunting me down and sending the most crudest of messages about Jesus not to mention messages announcing my death. The latter doesn't bother me - I feel well protected by God. The former, doesn't shock me - I have worked with and served people who try to shock and seen them come into God's Kingdom as they repented and gave their lives to Jesus.

Saul of course was a great hater (even murderer) of those that followed Jesus, he used to hunt Christians like a pack of hounds after the fox! Until of course, his Damascus Road experience.

Christians need to pray for the Sauls of this world, that they will meet and come into a relationship with the Jesus that loved them so much that he was prepared to die for each of their individual lives. The Jesus who took the punishment for their sin and in doing so, offering the best quality of life and an everlasting relationship with God as Father to those who will trust and believe in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Like much of the Old Testament the account of Abraham's (non!) sacrifice of Isaac foretells the coming of Christ:

In fact the account so coincides with Jesus' death and resurrection that the word "uncanny" becomes a massive understatement.

(You might want to follow the reading in Genesis 22):

(1) v 2 (God said) "Take your son your only son, whom you love": Abraham had one son (who he had waited 100 years for - but that's by the by)whom he loved: God had one son ... "whom I love, with him I am well pleased"

(2) v3 Isaac was traveling to his death with the donkey: reminds us of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as he travels towards crucifixion.

(3)The sacrifice was to take place v 4 "On the third day":

So Abraham had counted him dead until the third day - the same length of time that Jesus was known to be dead.

(4) v 6 "Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac":

In the same way, by God the Father asking for Jesus' obedience, He waseffectively placing the wood of the cross on His one and only son.

(5) v 9 "(Abraham)bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar":

Here there is no sign of any struggle - Isaac could easily have over powered this old frail man but even to death is obedient to his father.

Philipians 2 records

:

" Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in the appearance of man, he humbled himself and became OBEDIENT TO DEATH - EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS!"

Of course the major difference is that whilst Isaac was saved from death Jesus did die on the cross in place of the 'sons' of Abraham - as Abraham prophesied in v8 "God himself will provide the lamb"

I don't know if you noticed in verse 5 Abraham said something quite curious:

v5 "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU":

Could it be possible that Abraham knew something of resurrection?.

After all, Abraham knew that God does not break His promises and God had promised that from the seed of Abraham will rise a great nation.

The good news is that the lamb who was slain instead of the "sons" of Abraham means that you too are invited to join that great nation that God promised.

About Me

Hi
My name is Neil Walpole. I am an evangelist, specialising in children's and family work. I have a passion for spreading the good news of Jesus and hope to use this blog to promote this ministry, to air my views on faith and other matters. My pet dislikes are the post modern attitude of 'what's true for you isn't necessarily true for me' and the watering down of the Gospel, to the point that it is unrecognisable. I welcome honest and graceful response to my views.
I am married to my wonderful wife Barbara and have two beautiful (grown up) step daughters, a lovely grown up son. I was thrilled to become father again to son no 2 in May 2013!